That’s great for visitors because it doesn’t matter which day they’re in town, they can find someone playing. It’s great for locals like me, who know that in addition to visiting artists, there are standing gigs like Dale Watson at the Broken Spoke honky-tonk on Saturdays, or the Resentments at the Saxon Pub on Sundays.

But what about a rather off day, like Monday?

And what about something that’s not too late, since it’s during the work week?

The bar at the Continental Club on South Congress Avenue in Austin TX. The sun’s still shining in because it’s early on a summer evening, but it definitely feels like a bar no matter the time of day. (photo by Sheila Scarborough)

You walk in and get the back of your hand stamped at the little counter by the door. There is no charge. Yep, it’s free.

There might be a chair left, or there might not, but there’s plenty of standing room in the back and along the sides. Plus, you’ll be moving around to the music, anyway. Consider it part of the day’s step count.

Somebody will come around for drink orders. If you are a beer drinker, ask for a local brew like Firemans #4 or Austin Amber.

There’s plenty of ambiance around you….

I haven’t seen one of these cigarette vending machines in years. Don’t know/care if it works, but the top of it was a handy place to set down my beer. (photo by Sheila Scarborough)

Maybe you’ll see the woman with the cat-eye glasses munching Haribo gummies while she works the soundboard….

The Peterson Brothers in Austin – view from the Continental Club soundboard. (photo by Sheila Scarborough)

Meanwhile, the Peterson’s are ripping through their set list; Alex and Glenn, Jr. grinning almost the whole time because why WOULDN’T you smile when you’ve been doing this gig since you were 13 and 15 years old? They’re now 18 and 20 but still look really young.

They covered blues standards like “Got My Mojo Working” and rocked up some R&B pieces like “Got To Be Real” and I heard riffs from Marvin Gaye and “Shaft.” At one point Alex picks up a fiddle (wut?) and plays “Amazing Grace.” They can do it all.

During one song they left the stage, went all around the room and even out onto the sidewalk, never missing a beat and making us all yell and shout with their joyous love of their music….

The Peterson Brothers working the floor and heading out the door onto the still sunshine-y sidewalk, at Continental Club Austin (photo courtesy Chris Fancher)

I spoke with their Mom and Dad who sat towards the back, selling CD’s for the kids and occasionally going around with a tip bucket. Dad said, “They eat, sleep, and breathe this stuff. We’re so proud of them!”

After almost two hours, we regretfully had to leave, grab some dinner across the street at Güero’s Taco Bar, and then on our way to the car make the obligatory stop at an Austin icon painted on the side of Jo’s Coffee….

How to end an Austin evening: my husband Chris and I at the “I love you so much” sign at Jo’s Coffee on South Congress Ave (photo by Sheila Scarborough)

Hard to beat it for a Monday night in Austin.

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2 Comments

Ah, Sheila, you’re making me miss Austin now… and if you happen to be up for exploring other Monday night adventures…
They are on the road right now but back in town in August — Chris Gage hosts a regular music night at Donn’s Depot and Christine Albert hosts one at El Mercado. If you’ve not yet happened on them, Chris and Christine are well worth seeing when they play together, too: http://www.albertandgage.com/gigs.htm Americana, folk, country, singer/songwriter, and Christine adds in songs from her family’s French heritage now and then too.

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